In this post we’ll look at two-word phrases that commonly appear in error as one word, rare instances when writing in passive voice may be the better choice, and more Confusables.

One- or Two-Word Phrases?

Do you ever notice two simple words that appear often together, mistakenly written as one word? Alot, flowerpot and schoolbus are some examples.

There is a precedent for this odd word fusion. In the Middle Ages, the expressions “all over,” “young man,” “as much” and “as well” were often written as one word. Conversely, some of today’s single words — including tomorrow, forever, instead, nonetheless, somewhat, whatsoever and notwithstanding — originally existed as two or more words.

It’s spring! A season of growth, or as Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s Party!” In the spirit of this growing and building season, this month we look at some structural grammar issues – specifically, double constructions and squinting modifiers.

Double Constructions

This is a reference to those times when a part of speech is duplicated unnecessarily in an effort to ensure clarity. Simply put, it’s a way of over-explaining. The University of Toronto calls this ‘grammar overkill’. Double constructions are unnecessary, read as clunky, and break the flow: Read More

This month we look at flat adverbs, which are increasingly popular but often ruffle feathers because they seem to break the rules. Also, if you’ve ever wondered whether ‘that’ or ‘which’ is the right word to introduce a clause you’ll find out in this month’s issue of On Words. Read More

Fall is a great time of renewal, as F. Scott Fitzgerald observed: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” It’s also a good time to renew or build your grammar skills. This month we look at ellipses, hyphenated words and ‘confusables’ – words often mistaken for each other:

Using the Ellipsis …

Those three dots you often see within a sentence, ‘ …’, form an ellipsis, commonly used to indicate omitted words. It’s Latin, with Greek origins meaning to fall short, leave out. It’s like the print equivalent for those times when someone recounts a conversation to you with “blah, blah, blah” or “yadda, yadda, yadda” to indicate that extraneous or predictable words have been omitted. Ellipses are particularly useful for shortening a long quotation. Always put a space before and after the dots. Note also there are two alternate uses, including:

Search

About This Blog

Thoughts, commentary, opinions and insight from Canada’s only full service, integrated marketing communications agency specializing in the technology, consumer electronics and services industries. If you would like to post or contact us for any reason, drop us an email at info@stratamp.com

Subscribe

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.